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Daily Current Affairs Prelims Quiz 04-11-2026
1. With reference to the newly discovered catfish species Exostoma nasibarbatum, consider the following statements:
- It belongs to the family Sisoridae and subfamily Glyptosterninae.
- It was discovered in the hill streams of Chandel district in Manipur, which forms part of the Chindwin-Irrawaddy river drainage system.
- It is adapted to stagnant freshwater habitats through specialized morphological features.
- It is considered a bio-indicator of freshwater ecosystem health.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a.
- b.
- c.
- d.
Answer : b
Statement 1 – Correct
- Exostoma nasibarbatum belongs to:
- Order – Siluriformes
- Family – Sisoridae
- Subfamily – Glyptosterninae
- Genus – Exostoma.
Statement 2 – Correct
- The species was discovered in the hill streams of Chandel district, Manipur.
- It is associated with the Bupal stream and the Chindwin-Irrawaddy river drainage system.
Statement 3 – Incorrect
- It inhabits high-energy, fast-flowing and clear rocky hill streams, not stagnant freshwater habitats.
- It possesses rheophilic adaptations, including flattened bodies and adhesive structures, which help it cling to rocks against strong water currents.
Statement 4 – Correct
- Rheophilic catfishes are highly sensitive to siltation, water pollution and habitat degradation.
- Therefore, they serve as important bio-indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.
2. With reference to CNGC13 and systemic alarm signalling in plants, consider the following statements:
- CNGC13 is a cyclic nucleotide-gated calcium ion channel located in the plasma membrane of plant cells.
- It facilitates the movement of calcium ions, enabling long-distance transmission of defence signals from damaged leaves to undamaged leaves.
- Glutamate released by damaged plant cells plays a role in activating the CNGC13-mediated signalling pathway.
- The activation of this pathway inhibits the production of defence-related phytohormones such as Jasmonic Acid.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a.
- b.
- c.
- d.
Answer : b
Statement 1 – Correct
- CNGC13 stands for Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channel 13.
- It is a specialised calcium-ion-permeable channel located in the plasma membrane of plant cells.
Statement 2 – Correct
- CNGC13 facilitates the influx of extracellular calcium ions (Ca²?).
- This generates a propagating calcium wave that transmits defence signals from damaged leaves to distant, undamaged leaves.
Statement 3 – Correct
- When insect herbivores damage plant tissues, the affected cells release extracellular glutamate.
- Glutamate triggers membrane depolarisation and activates the CNGC13-mediated calcium signalling pathway.
Statement 4 – Incorrect
- Systemic calcium signalling activates the synthesis of defence-related phytohormones, particularly Jasmonic Acid (JA).
- It also promotes the production of anti-herbivore toxins, preparing undamaged leaves for potential insect attacks.
3. With reference to Jupiter's bow shock and plasma wave activity, consider the following statements:
- Jupiter's bow shock is formed due to the interaction between the solar wind and Jupiter's magnetosphere.
- Intermediate shocklets and layered transition regions help decelerate the incoming solar wind at Jupiter's bow shock.
- The Juno spacecraft has observed strong harmonic plasma wave structures and intense particle heating across Jupiter's bow shock.
- Jupiter's bow shock does not undergo periodic self-reformation under intense solar wind pressure.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a.
- b.
- c.
- d.
Answer : b
Statement 1 – Correct
- Jupiter's bow shock is formed when the supersonic solar wind encounters Jupiter's magnetosphere.
- It represents a transition region where the solar wind is decelerated, compressed and heated.
Statement 2 – Correct
- Unlike a relatively straightforward shock transition, Jupiter's bow shock exhibits intermediate shocklets and multiple layered regions.
- These structures progressively decelerate the incoming solar wind.
Statement 3 – Correct
- Data from NASA's Juno spacecraft revealed strong harmonic structures and intense plasma wave activity.
- These waves contribute to the heating of electrons and ions across the shock.
Statement 4 – Incorrect
- Jupiter's bow shock exhibits cyclical self-reformation patterns under intense solar wind pressure.
- Recurring magnetic structures have been observed at approximately 8.3-second intervals.
3. With reference to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and their rights in India, consider the following statements:
- OCI cardholders are considered Indian citizens for the purpose of enjoying Fundamental Rights under Article 19 of the Constitution.
- OCI cardholders are not entitled to the right to vote in elections in India.
- OCI status provides lifelong, multiple-entry visa facilities to visit, reside and work in India.
- OCI cardholders are permitted to acquire agricultural land and plantation properties in India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a.
- b.
- c.
- d.
Answer : b
Statement 1 – Incorrect
- OCI cardholders are foreign nationals and are not Indian citizens.
- Article 19 guarantees certain fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech and expression and peaceful assembly, exclusively to Indian citizens.
- Therefore, OCI cardholders cannot claim Article 19 rights on the same footing as Indian citizens.
Statement 2 – Correct
- OCI status does not confer Indian citizenship.
- OCI cardholders cannot vote in Indian elections or contest elections to Parliament or State Legislatures.
Statement 3 – Correct
- OCI registration provides a lifelong, multiple-entry, multi-purpose visa to visit India.
- It facilitates residence, employment and educational opportunities, subject to applicable rules and restrictions.
Statement 4 – Incorrect
- OCI cardholders can purchase residential and commercial properties in India.
- However, they are generally prohibited from purchasing agricultural land, farmhouses and plantation properties.
4. With reference to NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, consider the following statements:
- It was launched in 2004 primarily to study gamma-ray bursts and other high-energy astronomical phenomena.
- Increased solar activity can accelerate the orbital decay of low-Earth orbit satellites by increasing atmospheric drag.
- The Swift Observatory was successfully shifted to a higher orbit through NASA's robotic rescue mission named Link.
- The observatory is expected to undergo atmospheric re-entry, during which most of its structure is likely to burn up.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a.
- b.
- c.
- d.
Answer : a
Statement 1 – Correct
- NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory was launched on November 20, 2004.
- It primarily studies gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), among the most energetic explosions in the universe.
- It also observes supernovas, comets, asteroids and black holes.
Statement 2 – Correct
- Increased solar activity heats and expands Earth's upper atmosphere.
- This increases atmospheric density at satellite orbital altitudes.
- Consequently, satellites experience greater atmospheric drag, lose orbital energy and gradually descend towards Earth.
Statement 3 – Incorrect
- NASA engaged Katalyst Space Technologies to undertake a robotic rescue mission.
- Its spacecraft, named Link, was intended to push the Swift Observatory into a higher orbit.
- However, Link experienced attitude-control and thruster failures and failed to complete the rescue mission.
Statement 4 – Correct
- The Swift Observatory faces uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry.
- Most of its structure is expected to burn up due to intense atmospheric heating.
- However, dense components, potentially including tungsten parts and mirror fragments, may survive re-entry and reach Earth's surface.
5. With reference to the recently discovered 4,000-year-old defensive structure at Oued Beht, consider the following statements:
- The structure was discovered in northwestern Morocco, near the Oued Beht river valley.
- Radiocarbon dating suggests that its original construction dates back to the second millennium BCE.
- The discovery represents the oldest known large-scale fortified system in North Africa outside the Nile Valley.
- Archaeological evidence suggests that the structure was primarily constructed to defend against foreign invasions from ancient Egypt.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a.
- b.
- c.
- d.
Answer : b
Statement 1 – Correct
- Oued Beht is an archaeological site located in northwestern Morocco, east of Rabat.
- The fortified structure overlooks the Oued Beht river valley.
Statement 2 – Correct
- Radiocarbon dating of seeds and charcoal deposits places the construction between 4,000 and 3,500 years ago.
- This corresponds broadly to the second millennium BCE and the Bronze Age in the western Mediterranean.
Statement 3 – Correct
- The discovery represents the oldest known large-scale fortified system in North Africa outside the Nile Valley.
- It provides evidence of advanced construction capabilities and organized community activities among prehistoric North African societies.
Statement 4 – Incorrect
- Researchers suggest that the wall was probably constructed to address local competition over resources such as:
- Agricultural land.
- Water and food resources.
- Regional trade routes and movement.
- There is no established evidence that it was primarily built to defend against ancient Egyptian invasions.
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